Appearances…

 Appearances…

In 1986, our family went to the World’s Fair in Vancouver, B.C….one of the exhibits from Egypt was some contents of one of the Egyptian tombs…one whole area of makeup  that the ancient queens wore…so interesting…not much different from today…

“The global cosmetics market size was estimated at USD 295.95 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2030. One of the primary factors driving market expansion is the increasing awareness among consumers to enhance their personal appearance”

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cosmetics-market

Reading 1 Samuel 16, Samuel was still caught up in appearances of the future king…as he had been with Saul previously…but, 

God was more interested in the heart of the future king….as we should be ourselves…while we may want to look nice, God is really more interested in our hearts and how we staid with Him…

Thank YOU

 David-“ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.””

1Sam.16.6,1Sam.16.7,12

Some other Bible descriptions of people…

 Saul-“There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.”

1Sam.9.1-2

 Jesus-“He grew up before him like a tender shoot,and like a root out of dry ground.He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

Isa.53.2

Paul-

“Paul Coomber

It is worth noting that the Bible seldom focuses on the physical features of people in the Bible narrative. However, there is one account, non-scriptural in origin, which may give us some idea of his appearance.

In the ‘Acts of Paul and Thecla,’ written about A. D. 150, there is a description of Paul which is probably the best, and a true tradition. In this he is described as ‘small in size, bald-headed, bandy-legged, well built, with eyebrows meeting; rather long nosed.’

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (1997 edition) says about that ancient writing: “It is not impossible that the ‘Acts’ contain some elements of historical truth.” The Acts of Paul and Thecla was highly regarded in early centuries, as confirmed by the fact that 80 Greek manuscripts of it exist, as well as versions in other languages.

Darzkin Saracen

Truthologist at Truth Supremacy, LLC (1997–present)Author has 743 answers and 550.6K answer views1y

Related

Was the Apostle Paul black?

In the Bible, Apostle Paul is mistaken for an Egyptian by a Roman soldier. This incident, along with the stories of Moses and Joseph blending into Egyptian society, can be analyzed to understand the racial identity of Paul, a Jew who converted to Christianity to spread Jesus Christ's teachings.

In Acts 21 the following verses read:

• 37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

• 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

• 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

Let's examine and combine specific biblical narratives to understand the relationship between the physical appearances of ancient Jews and Egyptians to better piece together the racial identity of Apostle Paul. The argument is built on three interconnected premises:

1. Premise 1: Moses, a Hebrew, was raised in Pharaoh's court and accepted as an Egyptian, suggesting that his physical appearance did not betray his Hebrew origin.

2. Premise 2: Joseph, also a Hebrew, rose to prominence in Egypt, and his brothers failed to recognize him when they arrived in Egypt. This may further indicate that there were no significant physical differences that would have marked him as distinct from Egyptians.

3. Premise 3: The Apostle Paul was mistaken for an Egyptian by a Roman soldier in Acts 21:37-38. Paul corrected the soldier by identifying himself as a Jew from Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (part of modern-day Turkey).”

“Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is….God judges by faith and character not appearances…” Bible notes

Lead me, Lord….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jlHA6iLJQ